Purpose and Right Fence Style and Material

Perhaps you’re looking to install a fence around your yard? If so, you’re making a great choice. But perhaps, at the same time, you don’t know what type of fence you should install? There are many different types of fences, all of which carry their own benefits and drawbacks.

Your decision to get a fence has certain goals. Whether it is for curb appeal, access control, to provide privacy or security and safety, keep things in and keep things out, screen views or provide walls for your garden room, determine exactly what you need your fence to do. Installing a fence around your yard offers a number of different materials. From the zigzag post-and-rail of the colonial era to the elaborate molded vinyl styles of today, there are probably more options than you think, but once you decide which design will fit your needs best you will be one step closer to your new fence. Now you just need to decide on the right fencing materials for your needs.

Before loading your truck with fencing materials at the lumberyard, take a few minutes to call your local zoning office to find out what, if any, preliminary steps you need to take. If you’re putting the fence on a property line, you might need a lot survey. If you belong to a homeowners association or live in a development that is subject to covenants, you could be restricted to using specific materials and limited on fence height. Once you’ve got the green light, the next step is choosing the right type of fence material. Next, study both the style of your home and the topography of your land to determine the best style of fence for your particular situation –don’t skip this step.

Goals of the fences

Privacy fence: If the goal is to block sight lines, you need solid fencing, which generally means it’ll have tightly spaced vertical boards, pickets (pointed stakes), or framed panels to prevent you from seeing out and others from seeing in. It should be at least 6 feet tall so most people won’t see over it—taller if the neighbor’s teenagers are on the basketball team. If a little visibility is okay, then the pickets can have spaces between them, or you can use a lattice or decorative fence pattern.

Safety fence: To create a dog run, enclose a pool area, or deter wildlife from trespassing on your property—without changing the view—the most durable option is a wire fence, such as chain link. At their most economical, these consist of galvanized metal mesh, but adding a black or green vinyl coating helps to make the fence almost disappear from view. Or, for an even lower-cost fence, you can use a metal or plastic mesh hung on metal posts or stakes.

Security fence: To keep people out, you’ll again want a fence that’s 6 feet tall or higher to hinder anyone from simply hopping over it. Pickets or other spiky tops help to deter climbers—especially if the fence has a smooth outer face, so there’s no place to step. For fences with horizontal rails on one side and vertical pickets on the other—in other words, for most fences—that means facing the pickets out.

Decorative fence: If the goal is to establish property lines, add a structural element to the landscape or boost curb appeal, your fence doesn’t need to be nearly as large or obtrusive. You can choose one that’s just two to four feet high, and with spaced pickets, latticework, or all sorts of ornamental designs that don’t block the view, but enhance it. Or you can go totally simple, with a rail fence (just posts and two or three horizontal members) like the ones used on horse farms.